Kate Farrelly

Upgrading from an apartment to a house can be economically challenging, but there are options to ease the pressure of a larger mortgage.

Sam Crothers, founder of houseplanology.com, says a house with a truly flexible floorplan provides a number of money-making strategies.

"A home with a flexible floor plan gives you an opportunity to divide off part of the home and rent it out, which is fantastic if you need to increase your income, either on a temporary or permanent basis," she says. "A flexible floor plan also gives you the option of running a home-based business, subject to council approval. If the business part of a house can be separated from the rest of the home, clients can visit without invading your personal space."

5 Rudolph Court, Ringwood North.

Crothers says flexible floor plans also make good sense when considering the resale perspective.

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"If your home incorporates rental accommodation, a teenage retreat, a separate home office, or a place for elderly relatives, you're much more likely to appeal to a broad range of buyers."

If you want to create self-contained accommodation within an existing floor plan, Crothers says it's important to prioritise privacy, particularly if you're going to be renting to strangers. A carefully considered layout and an entry way that bypasses other areas of the home will save lots of stress, and the rental option will be much more likely to succeed.

27 Knight Street, Arncliffe.

If a home already has self-contained accommodation, see whether it can be seamlessly reincorporated into the rest of the house at a later date.

"Circumstances change, and in the future you might prefer to have the extra space in the main part of the house," says Crothers. "See if there's an obvious place to create internal access - if not, you may be up for expensive changes."

In Melbourne: 5 Rudolf Court, Ringwood North $662,500

Snapshot: A five-bedroom, three-bathroom 1980s home with a double garage on a 658-square-metre block. The lower level is currently configured as self-contained accommodation with separate access offering a living-dining room with kitchenette and a bedroom with built-in storage.Last traded for $150,000 in 1996.Combined rent estimate $745 a week.Yield 5.8 per cent.AgentPhilip Webb Real Estate, 0448 244 260.More photosDomain.com.au

In a family-friendly location close to parkland and schools, and 30 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD, this property has not been renovated but is in good condition throughout. The self-contained accommodation downstairs will rent for about $225 a week, according to agent Rob Forbes. It would benefit from a makeover - Crothers suggests sticking to neutral colours and making sure there are adequate provisions for storage.

Best features Large home with big backyard and room to add value.Worst feature It's a one-hour commute to the city in peak hour.

And Sydney: 27 Knight Street, Arncliffe $850,000+

Snapshot A four-bedroom, two-bathroom, early-1900s terrace on a 234-square-metre block, currently divided into two residences, with an external staircase to the second level.Last traded for $210,000 in 1996.Combined rent estimate $1000 a week.Yield 6.1 per cent at $850,000 purchase price.Auction April 26.Agent McGrath Brighton-Le-Sands, 0404 988 472.More photos:Domain.com.au

The upper and lower level floorplan of this terrace is very similar, with two bedrooms apiece, a central bathroom, a living room and a separate kitchen. The upper level has a sunroom capturing views over Botany Bay to the ocean, while the lower level has a paved outdoor dining area and level lawn. Agent Joseph Halavazis says he has fielded strong interest from investors. ''Buyers are often looking to go from an apartment to a freestanding house, and with this property they can subsidise their lifestyle for the first few years,'' he said.

Best features Room to add value, close to the station.Worst feature Would need to build an internal stairwell if converting to single dwelling.